I read this book because it was one of the m/m romance group's BOM. Also, it's free and quite long, so kudos to the author right there. Thanks Kaje!

I probably would not have chosen this book if it hadn't been BOM because the description did sound like quite a bit of the book was an established relationship, and that's correct. Perhaps the first 1/3rd takes place when the MCs are young, on board a WWII navy vessel, and trying to manage a clandestine affair. That part was great.

The rest of the book revisits the couple over their lifetime, when they are in an established relationship (69 years worth by book's end!). It was all very well plotted and the writing was decent. It also appeared that the author had done quite a bit of research into what it was like to be gay during those intervening years. It was interesting, but that part was a bit more of a challenge to get through for me. When it comes to romances I'm more interested in that initial tension and resolution of starting a relationship rather than what comes for the next 40 years and the more mundane problems couples face. But that's just me.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in books featuring WWII, the history of the gay movement in America or the arc of a long-term relationship.